MAS History
Patrons of Macarthur Astronomical Society
Patron 1996 - 2011 |
Patron 2009 - 2020 |
Patron Since 2020 |
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Dr. Ragbir Bhathal |
Professor Bryan Gaensler |
Prof Geraint Lewis University of Sydney Australia |
Presidents Of Macarthur Astronomical Society
![]() Phillip Ainsworth Founding President 1996-2000 |
![]() Noel Sharpe Second President 2000-2007 |
![]() John Rombi Third President 2007-2011 |
Trevor Rhodes |
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Chris Malikoff |
![]() Tony Law Sixth President 2015-2019 |
Allan Hobbs |
John Rombi |
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History
Formation
Macarthur Astronomical Society was formed on Monday 15th January 1996 under the leadership of Phillip Ainsworth.
Phillip was a resident of Ingleburn at the time and - recognising the lack of an organised astronomical Society in South Western Sydney - he decided to do something about it. He publicised a proposal to form a new astronomical organisation in the Campbelltown newspapers and invited anyone interested in amateur astronomy to attend a meeting at his home.
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This initial meeting was held in Phillip's garage due to the large attendance. The neighbours must have wondered what what was going on when over thirty people tried to park in his quiet back street. Phillip, his wife and family were surprised at the number who turned up as well but it backed his belief that the formation of a society of like-minded amateur astronomers was indeed feasible. It was a hot summer evening. Some stood, whilst others sat in as many chairs as the Ainsworth family could muster and it was moved and carried that Macarthur Astronomical Society be formed.
The second meeting (the first AGM) was held in February 1996, at the University of Western Sydney. Phillip was elected President and he went on to hold the position from 1996 to 2000, guiding the fledgling Society through it's formative years, establishing it's constitution and promoting it in the community. All subsequent monthly meetings were held at the University of Western Sydney (except for September 2011, held at Blair Athol Community Centre).
1990s
Very few of the early members possessed telescopes but this began to change as regular star nights were held in member's back yards, including a member's property near Wilton. A club telescope was purchased in June 1997, a 6” Dobsonian, assisted by a generous donation of $500.00 from the Campbelltown Branch of the Commonwealth Bank. This scope soon became known as “MacDob”. Later, two permanent homes were found for regular star nights, including the Forest with it's spectacular dark skies.
The Society commenced community educational talks and regular public star nights, all free of entry fee to the public.
Several of the members who joined in 1996 remain current members, including two who were at that inaugural meeting (Phil. Ainsworth & Roger Powell) and several more who joined immediately after.